during the build time of the yacht. The structure of the coating can
influence the DOI. If the structure scatters light then this can reduce contrast, while smaller structures can cause distortion of the outlines of the image. Tus the profile of surface can be analysed and differences in appearance quantified. If a surface can be judged by an owner
or a yard as acceptable in appearance it can be subjected to some measurements that would enable a profile of it to be built up. It is not quite as simple as this, but the overview serves to illustrate the point, that profiling could offer a solution and it is one that is used in the motor industry. In a continuous drive to be different
and to innovate, both designers and owners are oſten looking for elements of uniqueness for their design/yacht. In terms of coatings, this can mean darker colours (blues and greys), even matt finishes as opposed to high gloss. However, increasingly owners are asking for metallic paint either in part or in total for the yacht. These products work by changing
the reflected light angle using a combination of:
• Absorption pigments • Interference pigments
• Metallic pigments The way in which these pigments are
introduced into the paint formulation enables them to combine to give the desired effect. Te introduction of metallic paint would
have an impact, of course, and add to the factors that influence appearance by the introduction of concepts such as graininess and sparkle. For metallic paints, light conditions
become even more critical and for some even the angle of viewing can be critical. So what is an acceptable Super-yacht
appearance standard for coating finishes? At the present time, it can be argued
that a super-yacht appearance standard is whatever the owner’s representative is willing to accept or what the yard is able to sell, within the cost and time budgets of the project. Consequently, the standard can be open to subjective decision-making and opinion, with an ultimate compromise oſten based on attrition of one party or another.
The Naval Architect July/August 2009
Tere are a number of methods in the
• Subjective assessment by eye based on a 3rd party assessment
• Use of reference panels/mock ups • Photographic referencing • Basic measurements
field through which owners/yards attempt to agree on the required super-yacht standard for a particular project. The following methods/techniques are predominantly in use:
Technical Quality, the measurable
attributes of the application, As distinct to:
Cosmetic Quality (appearance) of the
application. Technical Quality is objective and can
• Use of measured reference vessels Te fact that a problem exists is reflected
by a proposed ISO standard [3], which will apply to non-metallic coatings. Each of these approaches has its
“The high visibility areas are those where there can be no compromise on the finish and are visible to guests and passers by”
strengths and weaknesses and all are in regular use. Te best way to assess them would be to compare their needs to those as laid out in the proposed ISO standard. Tis will identify strengths and weaknesses in the current approach and the limitation of the ISO standard. Tere are number of issues to consider in assessing coatings:
• Method of measurement and definition of acceptable measured values
• Cosmetic appearance
• Experience of assessor • Expectations of owner
non-metallic)
• Capability of yard/contractor One noteworthy attempt to establish
a benchmark has been made to try and define some standards [2]. One very important distinction has to be made between:
• Colour and type of coating (e.g. light vs. dark colours, metallic and
• Was the scheme applied in accordance to the manufacturers guidelines?
• Was the scheme specified using a functional paint specification
approach? Tese two elements together create a
TQI (Technical Quality Index). Technical Quality should be defined
in the form of a Functional Paint specification. Tis is a specification that takes into account the build process, the tools and techniques available and the in service performance requirements. Regrettably, all too oſten a generic paint specification is developed that enables little assessment on the technical merit of the various options and oſten results in a decision based on price, rumour of past successes or failures, without a sound basis for performance. Te ‘Cosmetic quality index’, by contrast, would include questions such as:
• Does it look acceptable? • Is it as good as the last yacht?
• Is the owner happy with it? Many of these issues are subjective and
difficult to measure and may boil down to the following visual aspects:
• Gloss • Fairness • Dustfall
• Surface Texture Te draſt ISO standard entitled ‘Large
Yachts – Coatings – Measurement and analysis of the visual appearance’ (Ref 3). identifies the following cosmetic issues:
• Gloss • Colour difference • Appearance • Fairness
be properly assessed and measured. In simple terms Technical Quality can be answered by a positive response to the questions:
• Other superficial defects 67
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